Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-12-20

OUT tn0t she was MAXIM cRuldr OltSl
ness Of it, with folks that wanted to visit
the town or country, they paying her 4
/ half or quarter the regular fare on what
was passed of on the railroad folks for q
free trip.
The company interfered then, and said
something bout stopping Il by law; but
she lowed they hadn't stiperlated bout
F.. any business matters o. hern. and she was
keeping TO the letter OF the agreement
Then they tried to buy her OF, but she
she said she was satisfied A. things was
and wanted no change. Still, IL was dear
that she was not only making money for
herself, but keeping the company out
OF it,
There was one injineer named Wells on
one of the trains, and bimeby, when this
had been going on n matter Of four or
five years, Betsy Ann Simcoe noticed that
he always fetched his cap and looked at
her In soft, spoony sort u way when
ever he seen her.
One day. when she was standing on the
bank. he flung a bOkey Of pinks and
bachelor buttons to her feet, and another
time pitched her a pound o cancy.
Then he handed her newspaper with
some verses In II marked with charcoal
something about his heart being capti-
vated by lady ''over the way" that he'd
never spoke to: and at last came letter,
saying AS how he'd been interested In her
ever since he'd seen her SO often on the
cars, and he was sure she would make
him the good, clever, sensible wife he'd
always wanted, II she could only bring
herself to fancy him rs he did her.
Well, she answered the letter, and Q
meeting was fixed; but meantime one o.
the railroad chaps stepped in and told her
that Wells was getting 30 dissipated that
the company talked Of discharging him,
but that she might be able to save him BY
stiperlating that she'd marry him only on
condition that he'd give up going " bar
rooms.
He considered Of It and said he would
II she'd promise likewise to give up her
raal Dad travelling and stay at home and
make it comfortable and agreeable for him
and her
So they both put It down In black and
white. and got witnesses to II, and took
oath to keep their words, and then they
was married
OF course Betsey Ann Wells stayed at
home now, and set about doing all she
could to make 1t pleasant for her husband
She had plenty Of time to do 1t in, for he
didn't make his appearance there once .
month. skeersely; and at last she found
out that it was all put up job Of the CON.
pany's who'd bribed Wells with 5000 to
marry her and get her Oh the road for
good.
He was a reckless sort OF Q chap, but
not bad, and had always been as softer and
free from barrOOms ~ Judge
Betsey Ann WAS awful cut up when she
found It all out, for she'd set her heart ON
him, as old maids are apt to set their
hearts on the first man that pretsntis to
keer for 'em
She didn't say nothing, even to Lucindy
Tirks, but went right along doing the
'est she could to make il pleasant for
ter husband whenever he came to see her
And at last. when he met with an acci-
dent from q collision on the road. and had
to be laid up for weeks before he got well
again, she had him from the hospital and
nursed him as tender and keerful ~ =
mother does her ailing baby.
And would you believe it. that In time
she brought the man round to be ashamed
Of the trick he'd played her and Ia b- jest
rs steady and easy going husband rs any
in Cross Keys,
Betsey Ann Wells never went on the
rails again, except once or twice with her
paying her own fare
And once she told the conductor that,
spite OF everything the company had done,
she d got the hest of the hargain-a good
husband and money enough to make him
and her comfortable for life.-Susie Asthcr
Weiss